GUIDING PRINCIPLE #3 - Children learn best through hands-on experimentation, dialogue with others, and thinking about the experience.

Children learn best through hands-on experimentation, talking with others about what they are working on, and thinking and talking about the experience afterward.

As parents, we sometimes feel like a child is talking all the time, and we sometimes "tune them out" a bit.  There are also times when it feels like the child is taking "forever" to do something, and we want to jump in and do it for them so we can move on to the next task.  (Of course when time is of the essence, we do what we have to do.)

When possible, consider these questions:

1. Does my child often have a constant running narrative, talking about what they are doing while they are doing it?  This is a strong indication that your child learns this way!  (Some children are very quiet while they are learning, and need that quiet to concentrate on what they're doing.  Imagine that!)
2. Is my child stalling because they lack confidence to perform the task? Are they savouring the moment because they enjoy it?  Is this a stalling tactic because they don't want to move on to the next thing?  Is this a way for them to exercise some control over the situation?  

Setting up successful learning activities

1. Plan activities that are hands-on, keeping the child actively engaged.
2. Allow your child to talk about their activity as they are doing it.  Ask occasional "key questions" to help them think about who, what, where, why, when and how questions.
3. Refer back to the activity in conversations after it's done.  What did your child learn?  What did they enjoy? What questions do they still have?